290 IN THE OLD WEST 



their salas for the fandango which invariably cele- 

 brated their arrival. This was always a profit- 

 able event; for as the mountaineers were generally 

 pretty well flush of cash when on their spree, and 

 as open-handed as an Indian could wish, the sale 

 of whisky, with which they regaled all comers, 

 produced a handsome return to the fortunate in- 

 dividual whose room was selected for the fandango. 

 On this occasion the sala of the Alcalde Don Cor- 

 nelio Vegil was selected and put in order; a gen- 

 eral invitation was distributed; and all the dusky 

 beauties of Fernandez were soon engaged in ar- 

 raying themselves for the fete. Off came the coats 

 of dirt and alegria which had bedaubed their faces 

 since the last " function," leaving their cheeks 

 clear and clean. Water was profusely used, and 

 their cuerpos were doubtless astonished by the 

 unusual lavation. Their long black hair was 

 washed and combed, plastered behind their ears, 

 and plaited into a long queue, which hung down 

 their backs. Enaguas of gaudy color (red most 

 affected) were donned, fastened round the waist 

 with ornamented belts, and above this a snow-white 

 camisita of fine linen was the only covering, allow- 

 ing a prodigal display of their charms. Gold 

 and silver ornaments, of antiquated pattern, deco- 

 rate their ears and necks ; and massive crosses of 

 the precious metals, wrought from the gold or sil- 

 ver of their own placeres, hang pendent on their 

 breasts. The enagua or petticoat, reaching about 



